2018-2019 Golden State Warriors Team Preview and Betting Picks

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

The Golden State Warriors once again proved their dominance over the rest of the league by winning the 2017-2018 NBA Finals. The Warriors have won 3 out of the last 4 NBA Finals and continue to get better each year!

This offseason, they resigned their important core players and added to their overall roster, with a major addition to the starting lineup!

Let’s dig a bit deeper into the 2018-2019 Golden State Warriors and determine where we think they will end up.

Golden State Warriors Coaching

The Golden State Warriors are coached by Steve Kerr. Kerr has been with the Warriors since 2014-2015 NBA Season, where he led the Warriors to their first NBA Finals Championship since 1975 when they were led by Rick Berry.

Since his arrival in Golden State, Kerr has gone to the NBA Finals every year, winning 3 out of 4. He has gone 67-15, 73-9, 67-15 and 58-24. Kerr has built a formidable team that will compete year after year in the NBA.

He has been named the 2016 NBA Coach of the Year and was awarded the 2018 Rudy Tomjanovich Award.

Ironically, the Golden State job was the first real coaching job that Kerr has ever held. They are the one and only team that he has ever been a Head Coach of.

Golden State Warriors Offseason Transactions

June 21, 2018 – The Golden State Warriors used their 1st round NBA Draft selection to pick 28th and take Cincinnati Bearcats Shooting Guard Jacob Evans.

June 22, 2018 – The Golden State Warriors waived Chris Boucher, who later signed with the Toronto Raptors.

July 6, 2018 – The Warriors signed free agent DeMarcus Cousins, formerly of the New Orleans Pelicans.

July 10, 2018 – The Warriors lost free agent JaVale McGee, who signed with the LA Lakers.

July 11, 2018 – The Warriors lost free agent Omri Casspi, who signed with the Memphis Grizzlies.

July 12, 2018 – The Warriors signed free agent Jonas Jerebko, formerly of the Utah Jazz.

July 14, 2018 – The Warriors signed free agent Damion Lee, formerly of the Atlanta Hawks.

July 15, 2018 – The Warriors lost free agent Zaza Pachulia, who signed with the Detroit Pistons.

August 30, 2018 – The Warriors lost David West, who announced his retirement from the NBA.

Golden State Warriors Starting 5

Stephen Curry (PG) – Curry is one of the best pure shooters in the NBA and that isn’t changing anytime soon. He is just as dangerous inside the 3-pt line as he is outside the line. He won’t provide the most assists like we are accustomed to seeing from a Point Guard but when he can shoot at a high percentage, he doesn’t need to move the ball around as often.

Klay Thompson (SG) – Thompson is Curry’s tag-team partner who is heading into a contract year. It is uncertain what will happen at the end of the season but there is no question, in the perfect world, the Warriors will keep Thompson.

Kevin Durant (SF) – Durant resigned with the Warriors and showed off why he is considered by many as one of the top 3 players in the league. He was last year’s NBA Finals MVP and should only get better with another physical force in the paint with Cousins joining the team.

Draymond Green (PF) – Green really isn’t great at any one thing but what he lacks in stardom, he makes up in his physicality. Green is a physical player that puts pressure on offenses and plays two ways. Green averaged 11 points per game and near 8 rebounds per game in 2017.

Jordan Bell (C) – Bell is still young and still learning but he has to be ready to step right in and be the opening day starter at the Center position, at least until Boogie Cousins is cleared medically.

Golden State Warriors Key Bench Players

DeMarcus Cousins (C) – “Boogie” is going to be a late addition, that is returning from a nasty injury. His timetable to get back on the court is completely up in the air but once he does get back, he will add a dimension inside the paint that the Warriors really haven’t had. He is only on a 1-year deal so his ability to return and play at a high level will be important for his big money contract, that he will be looking to secure at the end of the season.

Andre Iguodala (SF) – Iguodala is very much like Green in the fact that his physical play, makes up for his lack of expertise. Iguodala isn’t going to win and scoring titles and probably won’t make many starting lineups but what he brings off the bench in the way of defense and heart make up for it.

Shaun Livingston (PG) – Livingston brings a veteran presence to the Warriors and is a great insurance policy in case of injury. He isn’t going to win any starting lineup battles with anyone on the roster but what he does do is show up when he is needed and he performs!

2018 Predictions and Betting Outlook for Golden State Warriors

When you look down the Warriors roster, there are literally All-Star caliber players at all 5 starting positions. They are not only stacked in their starting lineup but they are as deep as any team in the Western Conference.

They should once again be one of the most dominant teams in the Western Conference and very tough to beat. When I look at their overall schedule, I have them winning right around 60 games this year.

The Warriors are once again the favorite to win the NBA Finals Championship. They are the favorite to win the Western Conference Championship. They are the favorite to win the Pacific Division. Each of those categories you really don’t get any sort of value by playing the Warriors.

Sure, you could look at it as the devil’s advocate and say that they should easily win the Western Division but are you really prepared to lay -260 on it? That would be a fool's bet, especially knowing that teams are getting better in the West and the risk would definitely outweigh the reward. I think the Warriors will be in the NBA FInals again this year but not good enough odds so this will be a complete fade for me.

Our friends over at MyBookiehave set the following lines on the Golden State Warriors:

Odds to Win NBA Championship: -180

Odds to Win Western Conference Championship: -260

Odds to Win Pacific Division: -8000

NBA Regular Season Wins Total: 63 games

NBA MVP Odds: Kevin Durant +1000

NBA MVP Odds: Stephen Curry +1600

NBA MVP Odds: DeMarcus Cousins +12500

Don’t forget to check out our NBA Betting Guide to stay up to date on all of the happenings with each team in the NBA throughout the season!

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